Senior Outpatient Coder

Essentia Health; Duluth (MN); Remote; USD 34,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

Essentia Health in the United States is seeking an outpatient coder to review clinical documentation and assign ICD-10-CM diagnoses, CPT/HCPCS procedures, and modifiers to ensure proper reimbursement for complex outpatient accounts. The role requires extensive knowledge of coding guidelines and collaboration with clinicians and operations.

The position supports remote work with a standard daytime schedule, while maintaining high-quality coding and productivity.

Qualifications

• Two (2) years of hospital outpatient coding experience.

Responsibilities

• Evaluates health record documentation and accurate reimbursement by ensuring that ICD-10-CM diagnostic and CPT/HCPCS procedural codes, and modifiers accurately reflect and support the hospital-based outpatient encounter.
• Identifies documentation clarification opportunities to ensure that documentation supports the coding and charges for the services provided. Initiates coding queries and provides feedback to clinicians
• Reviews Local Coverage Determination (LCD)/National Coverage Determination (NCD) policies for ICD-10-CM diagnoses that support medical necessity for services provided
• Works with the coding denials team for education and assists with denial prevention solutions
• Ensures outpatient accounts are coded accurately and in a timely manner
• Consistently maintains coding quality (95% accuracy) and productivity expectations
• Assists with the training of outpatient coders
• Performs related duties as required

Education

Coding program

Tools

Epic

3M Encoder

Computer Assisted Coding

Job description

This position is responsible for reviewing clinical documentation and assigning ICD-10-CM diagnosis, CPT/HCPCS procedure codes, and modifiers to ensure proper reimbursement for complex outpatient accounts. Requires extensive knowledge and understanding of ICD-10-CM and CPT/HCPCS coding guidelines, medical terminology, and disease processes. Works closely with clinicians and operations to ensure complete and accurate documentation, coding, and charges for the services provided. Adheres to the quality and productivity standards set by the department.

Building Location

Business Service Center

Department

1006240 HOSPITAL CODING - EH SS

Job Description

This position is responsible for reviewing clinical documentation and assigning ICD-10-CM diagnosis, CPT/HCPCS procedure codes, and modifiers to ensure proper reimbursement for complex outpatient accounts. Requires extensive knowledge and understanding of ICD-10-CM and CPT/HCPCS coding guidelines, medical terminology, and disease processes. Works closely with clinicians and operations to ensure complete and accurate documentation, coding, and charges for the services provided. Adheres to the quality and productivity standards set by the department.

Education Qualifications

Key Responsibilities:

• Evaluates health record documentation and accurate reimbursement by ensuring that ICD-10-CM diagnostic and CPT/HCPCS procedural codes, and modifiers accurately reflect and support the hospital-based outpatient encounter
• Identifies documentation clarification opportunities to ensure that documentation supports the coding and charges for the services provided. Initiates coding queries and provides feedback to clinicians
• Reviews Local Coverage Determination (LCD)/National Coverage Determination (NCD) policies for ICD-10-CM diagnoses that support medical necessity for services provided
• Works with the coding denials team for education and assists with denial prevention solutions
• Ensures outpatient accounts are coded accurately and in a timely manner
• Consistently maintains coding quality (95% accuracy) and productivity expectations
• Assists with the training of outpatient coders
• Performs related duties as required

Educational Requirements

• Successful completion of a coding program, which included coursework in ICD-10-CM, CPT/HCPCS, medical terminology, anatomy and physiology and disease processes

Required Qualifications

• Two (2) years of hospital outpatient coding experience
• Passing score on the Essentia Health senior outpatient coding skills assessment

Preferred Qualifications

• Epic experience
• 3M Encoder experience
• Computer Assisted Coding experience

Licensure/Certification Qualifications

Certification/Licensure Requirements:

• Current certification with American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA) or AAPC and credentialed as Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA), Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT), Certified Professional Coder (CPC), Certified Coding Specialist (CCS), and/or Certified Coding Specialist-Physician-Based (CCS-P)

Fte

1

Possible Remote/Hybrid Option

Remote

Shift Rotation

Rotating Shift (United States of America)

Shift Start Time

8:00 AM

Shift End Time

5:00 PM

Union

DC USWA Main & Neighborhoods (DCUMN)

Compensation Range

$24.60 - $36.34

Employee Benefits at Essentia Health: At Essentia Health, we’re committed to supporting your well-being, growth, and work-life balance. Our comprehensive benefits include medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance, along with supplemental options to fit your needs. We offer a 401(k) plan with employer contributions to help you plan for the future, and we invest in your professional development through training, tuition reimbursement, and educational programs. To help you thrive both at work and at home, we provide flexible scheduling, generous time off, and wellness resources focused on your physical, mental, and emotional health. Please note that benefit eligibility may vary. For full details, refer to your benefit summary or contact our HR Service Center at [phone].